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New Member
posted Mar 9, 2025 1:39:05 PM

Why is there a $40 processing fee to file federal taxes?

I have never paid a processing fee before, what changed?

0 9 3613
9 Replies
Expert Alumni
Mar 9, 2025 2:14:32 PM

The $40 processing fee is to pay the TurboTax fees from your refund.  You can avoid this charge by paying instead with a debit or credit card.  

Level 15
Mar 9, 2025 2:18:02 PM

That is optional.  The Extra $40 Refund Processing Service charge (45 in California) is if you want to have the fees deducted from your federal refund.  You can avoid it by paying upfront with a credit card.  

 

How to review your fees

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/charges-and-fees/help/how-do-i-review-my-fees-in-turbotax-online/00/26353

 

Remove Pay with Refund fee

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/downgrading/help/how-do-i-remove-pay-with-my-refund-fees-in-turbotax-online-and-change-my-payment-method/00/25880

New Member
Mar 15, 2025 6:12:28 PM

This fee never existed before why now?  Is this something new with Turbo Tax?  Who is the fee for?

Level 15
Mar 15, 2025 6:16:37 PM


@dfmorales5 wrote:

This fee never existed before why now?  Is this something new with Turbo Tax?  Who is the fee for?


The refund processing fee of $40 has been used for years in TurboTax.  It is only when you select to have the TurboTax account fees paid from the federal tax refund.  if you had selected to pay the TurboTax account fees with a credit card, there would not have been a $40 charge.

New Member
Mar 15, 2025 6:22:48 PM

Are you saying that I always received $40 less before of my refunds when using Turbo Tax??

Level 15
Mar 15, 2025 6:29:47 PM


@dfmorales5 wrote:

Are you saying that I always received $40 less before of my refunds when using Turbo Tax??


Not exactly.  When you are asked to pay for the TurboTax account fees you are given the option to either pay with a credit card OR pay from the federal tax refund.  If you Choose pay from the federal tax refund there is a $40 processing fee to use that option.

If you had chosen to pay the TurboTax account fee with your own personal credit card, there is no extra fee to use that option.

 

Expert Alumni
Mar 15, 2025 6:31:54 PM

Yes, if you paid your TurboTax fees with your Federal refund.  The $40 fee is charged by the bank that handles your refund from the IRS, pays TurboTax, then deposits the rest into your account.

 

Here's more info on the Refund Processing Service.

 

@dfmorales5 

Level 2
Mar 28, 2025 9:42:40 AM

I ran into this and realized it was a fee for the $15 I owed for e-filing my state return. My solution was to first e-file my federal return - no fee. Then separately e-file my state return, and pay the $15 with a credit card (instead of having TurboTax withhold that fee from my federal refund - that is why the $40 fee was coming up).

New Member
Apr 12, 2025 4:00:36 PM

This is some very duplicitous work. The fee is buried and they sell it like it's just a convenient service they offer so why not do it.  Seriously, so slimy.  I guess the first class action lawsuit wasn't enough for them and they're itching for another.